“On behalf of the BC Liberal caucus, I would like to congratulate Ben Stewart on his exceptional victory in Kelowna West tonight,” said BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson.

“The message we are hearing tonight is clear: as the party with the most seats in the legislature, it is up to us to ensure British Columbians don’t face the consequences of the broken promises and reckless actions of the NDP.”

As the party with the most seats in the legislature, it is up to us to ensure British Columbians don’t face the consequences of the broken promises and reckless actions of the NDP. #bcpolihttps://t.co/dyFxsm8nSO

The seat was left vacant when former premier Christy Clark quit politics.

Stewart gave up his seat, which was then known as Westside-Kelowna, in 2013 to allow Clark to have a seat in the legislature following the BC Liberals’ surprising election win where then then-premier lost her own seat of Vancouver-Point Grey.